It records in MPEG-4 and outputs its files as .MP4 files (the container). Files are compressed using the h.264 codec (as opposed to AAC or Xvid and DivX usually found in .AVI containers). So the files you are getting out of GoPro HD are suited to be delivered as is, which is usually not what you want. The GoPro HD being an “always-on” type of camera worn on your helmet, attached to your bike, surfboard or other, you usually end up with long sequences of footage you then need to edit down.

Since the MP4 codec is a final delivery codec it is not one you want to use for editing. Therefore you first need to convert it to a more editing-friendly format, such a Final Cut Pro’s ProRes.

First you need to download MPEG Streamclip, a powerful high-quality video converter, player and editor. If you are editing with Final Cut Pro (FCP), chances are you already installed this great free utility. If not, download it it from this site.

So, what does the workflow look like?

1) Create a folder with the original GoPro *.MP4 files on your hard drive.

I will need to double-check with GoPro on that. I would set it to OFF too (my initial setting) but the GoPro website actually says it should be on. Probably a typo on their site. I will see what I can find out.

@RonAssuming you converted your files properly you might be dealing with a timeline (sequence) setting issue.Since your Canon HD files and your GoPro files don’t use the same settings, one of them probably doesn’t match the settings of your sequence.Try to open your converted GoPro files in a new project and add them to the timeline. Say yes to the popup asking if you want to match your sequence to your footage and see if they are still red.That should tell us if you converted them properly and if the issue is sequence settings related.Let me knowCheersJan

What if my mpeg stream clip doesn’t have apple pro res 422. I tried using apple intermediate codec but myOne 3 minute clips was converted into 7 gigs. How come each clip was converted tO that large Of a file??? Please help

@ZachAs far as I know, the Pro Res 422 codecs will only show up in MPEG Streamclip if you have FCP installed (since they come with FCP). The file size will be superior yes, even with the ProRes 422 LT. But that will be for the editing process only. Once you export the file in its delivery format your file size will decrease again.

I’ve got Final Cut Pro 5 so the ProRes 422 codec isn’t available and Im not upgrading just to get it either. I don’t do video work anymore so am wondering what other options exist out there that don’t involve the prores422 codec?

Just thought I would mention that I ended up using Premiere Pro CS 5.5 and you can dump raw 1080p HD GoPro footage in there without any pre-processing! So Premiere will be my platform of choice for GoPro video now. Sorry FCP

What is the real benefit of doing this? I can add gopro files directly to the FCXP timeline and they will transcode/render? Is this just to render ahead of time for faster editing or is it a video quality difference?

Yes you can add GoPro files directly to FCPX. But they will however be imported in an output format not in an ‘editing’ format. No big deal if you’re only dealing with a couple of small files. But if you intend to apply effects, an editing friendly codec will be much faster and convenient.
Also note that this article was written before FCPX and the GoPro software tools came along. So it mostly applied to FCP 6.0. GoPro later released a free software suite that allows direct transcoding to an editing friendly format.

Hi Catharine
Actually the GoPro is not necessarily 30 fps. Depending on the model you have, you can use different frame rates: 240, 120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24. It should make your life a lot simpler to decide on a frame rate before shooting and to use the same one on all your cameras. Conforming shots from different frame rates can be very tricky, especially if audio is involved.

MPEG Streamclip doesn’t want to open my .MP4 gopro file? Do you know why? Doing some research on the web and found nothing yet. MPEG msg error saying that he can’t open this kind of file, but it’s the original file and it’s in MP4…

Hello!
I edit off of Premiere CS6 but work with larger files and wanting to transcode files so editing process can be more streamless. I have heard a lot about MPEG Streamclip and using the compression setting ProRes 422. Everyone says its great….HOWEVER I have downloaded the program from http://www.squared5.com/ (same one that many others have used).

When I uploaded the files and go to the compression settings there is NO option to click ProRes 422. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated! Is there a plug in I should be getting or something?

Is there a different program I should be using? IS there a reason why for me I am only gettting a short list of compression settings instead of the LONG list I have seen in so many online videos?

Hi Molly
In order for the ProRes codecs to show up in MPEG Streamclip you need to have Final Cut Pro installed. FCP installs the codecs and makes them available to other apps. As far as I know you cannot download them separately. Hope that helps even if it’s not the answer you were hoping for…

Hi Lukas
This tutorial was actually written for FCP (v6) not FCPX. FCP was less friendly when it came to importing GoPro footage. The main point is to get ProRes files if you plan on editing the footage. So if you import your movies into FCPX as ProRes then you can effectively skip this tutorial.
Other than conversion speed differences (which I haven’t tested) there would be no other immediat benefit as far as I know.

Hi, I have been shooting using Gopro 3 black at 1080 S 48fps
When I edit in Final Cut Pro 7 it all looks fine and – apart from the bright green render line that comes up initially.
When I come to export the quick times are really pixelated. I have tried quite a few different senarios, but no luck.
Is the ‘S’ a problem maybe?
I follow all the MPEG instructions, so am a bit confused.
Thanks
Vanessa

I have a question about using this gopro footage that has been turned into prores using MPEG streamclip in fcp7 projects. Everything works fine until I use media manager at the end of each project. Then the gopro clips are saved in their entirety making the project size huge. Anyone else notice this strange glitch when media managing? It isn’t my settings as it only happens with the footage that has gone through MPEG streamclip. Thanks, Eva

If you are having a problem with Streamclip showing the ProRes Codec and have FCP installed…like I was. Or if you just want to use a different machine to do your exporting and conversions – Apple now allows you to download the a full codec suite just google Download ProRes Codec and it shouldnt be that difficult to find a direct download from APPLE…Hope that helps the community!